BLACK-GUILLEMOT 37 



at the same period, greenish black all over, except on the wing, where 

 there is a bright white patch, which is conspicuous even when the bird 

 is under water. But the chief glory of the species is the vermilion- 

 red of the legs and of the inside of the mouth, which are in marked 

 contrast to the dark plumage. 



The black-guillemot, unlike the other British breeding Auks, is 

 not found in large colonies, but this appears to be due rather to 

 its scarcity than to its objection to the society of its own kind. 

 Naumann's statement that it is gregarious, but not usually found 

 together in larger numbers than from twenty-five to thirty pairs, is 

 correct as far as the evidence goes. 1 It is frequently found in smaller 

 numbers. In Ireland, for instance, as a rule, " one or more pairs only 

 are met with in the same place." 2 The relative scarcity of the species 

 is difficult to account for, the more so as, unlike its British breeding 

 congeners, it lays 2-3 eggs instead of only one. On the other 

 hand, it appears seldom to rear more than one chick. 



The black-guillemot is less inclined to consort with other species 

 than are puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, but all four species may be 

 occasionally found nesting together. 3 It is seen on the waters near 

 its breeding-haunts towards the end of February or in March, but it 

 does not appear to be in regular occupation of its nesting-place till 

 April. 4 Naumann states that the birds arrive in pairs. 5 Like their 

 congeners, the mated birds show their affection for each other by 

 billing and other caresses, which have yet to be exactly described, 

 and, according to one observer, by "dignified bowings." 6 



The regular pairing call of the species is a clear " ist, ist, ist" accord- 

 ing to Naumann, who also ascribes to it a whistling note. 7 The latter 

 is probably the same as the " low plaintive whine," 8 or the " shrill, 

 rather faint whistle " 9 of other writers. According to Mr. Selous, " the 



1 Vijgel Mitteleuropas, xii. 239. 2 Ussher and Warren, Birds of Ireland, p. 366. 



3 Patten, Aquatic Birds, p. 491 ; Naumann, Vogel Mitteleuropas, xii. 239. 



4 Cf. Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1904, 23 ; Ussher and Warren, Birds of Ireland, p. 366 ; Naumann, 

 Vogel Mitteleuropas, xii. 240. 6 Loc. cit. 



6 Job, Wild Ways, pp. 174-80. 7 Op. cit, p. 238. 



8 Dresser, Birds of Europe, viii. 9 Loc. cit. 



